Steve Mathews

Robert Dean Shonkwiler

Died May 07, 2003 when he was crushed by a conveyor belt while working for Hoosier Energy in Sullivan County, Indiana.

His wife, Betsy, wrote the following Memory of her husband, and it was posted on the internet by Betsy on May 17, 2003

~~In Loving Memory of Robert (Bob) Shonkwiler ~~

"I am so fortunate to have been his wife, best friend, and lover for such a long time.  We had a different relationship than I had ever known before.  Having finally found each other, we were never apart if we could help it.  Together we made our dreams come true.  Believe me, I feel like I could write pages about Bob and I hope someday a better writer than I does, he deserves every honor that can be bestowed.  His humor was so great, the pranks, the jokes, all the times he tricked me into doing crazy things and he would laugh with his whole body.  It was a wonderful think for those around to experience.  I loved to look at his face so I could study the expression of wonderment each time he looked at every new sunset.  We tried never to miss one."

"Bob loved his family, watching everyone become fully functioning adults.  The grandchildren were the joy we all wait for.  When he discovered that Samuel (his first grandson) loved horses, and wanted to be a bull rider like his grandpa, the look on his face will never be forgotten.  Devotion to his wife and family was unparalleled."

"This man was absolutely brilliant, his knowledge was in no way limited to Hoosier Energy and horses.  Bob was a storehouse of knowledge on almost any subject.  His sense of justice and fairness was beyond reproach.  He did not have time for untruthfulness or trivial nonsense and he clearly let you know you didn't make the same mistake twice."

"Bob was the strongest man I have ever known, a gentle giant.  Physical strength and strength in character ... he was my mentor,  Kind heart, soft touch, and a fast horse who could ask for anything more.  We could all learn from the way he lived his life and I thank God for all the time we had together.  I had a husband that I just could not stop kissing.  I sadly miss him more and more every day.  Rest well and wait for me."

Brian T'Kindt

I am touched by the many memories of those of our fellow students.  I was especially touched by Betsy's memoriam of Bob. "Shonk" was an amazing guy from the orginal Greene Township students who came over to Jackson when the new high school was built-everyone else went to North Liberty.  The gentle giant is an apt description.  Such a nice, down to earth guy who truly would do anything for you but not someone you would risk angering. But I don't ever recall seeing him mad or react in anger-I would not want to. I have to believe when he was bull riding, the bull usuallty got the worst of it.  One of the first the NCAA allowed to be an amateur in one sport(wrestlling?)and a professional in another(bullriding). A very, very nice man and one good old farm boy from Greene Twp who I thoroughly enjoyed the pleasure of knowing from the early days.in grade school.  Thanks for sharing Steve and Betsy.